Atiku Abubakar, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has officially called on President Bola Tinubu to release the full procurement details—including Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), commonly known as chassis numbers—for 39 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) allocated ₦15.13 billion in the 2026 Federal Budget.
The demand was conveyed through a statement by Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. Atiku cited an analysis by the public accountability organisation Tracka, which calculated that each vehicle would cost roughly ₦387 million—a figure that has sparked widespread debate over value for money and transparency.
What Atiku Is Demanding
Atiku insisted that full disclosure is the only way to resolve the questions raised. “If those vehicles have already been procured, the government should immediately publish the make, model, year of manufacture, supplier, contract details and the Vehicle Identification Number of each of the 39 vehicles,” he stated. He further argued that if procurement is still ongoing, Nigerians deserve an explanation as to why, nearly eight months into the fiscal year, the purchase has not been completed.
The former vice president questioned the justification for the extraordinary per-unit cost, asking whether the government purchased ultra-luxury models such as Rolls-Royce Cullinans, Bentley Bentaygas, Lamborghini Urus, or Ferrari Purosangues. “If none of these ultra-luxury vehicles was purchased, then what exactly justifies such an extraordinary price tag?” he queried.
Questions on Tinubu's Accountability
Atiku directed pointed criticism at President Tinubu for signing a budget containing such figures. “A President cannot proudly sign a budget into law and then pretend to have no responsibility when glaring questions arise. The buck stops on his desk,” he said. Beyond the SUV procurement, Atiku also raised concerns about ₦947.70 billion set aside for 2,579 empowerment projects in the same budget. He called on the government to name the project locations, identify the beneficiaries, explain how contractors were selected, and outline how implementation will be monitored.
Atiku tied both issues to what he described as the administration's contradictory positions on public hardship. He argued that a government which removed fuel subsidies, raised electricity tariffs, and imposed higher taxes while asking citizens to endure economic hardship cannot expect silence over expenditures that raise legitimate value-for-money concerns. “The easiest way to silence suspicion is transparency. Publish the procurement documents. Publish the invoices. Publish the suppliers. Publish the chassis numbers. If the figures are genuine, the documents will speak for themselves,” Atiku concluded, stressing that public money belongs to the Nigerian people and every kobo must be accounted for.
Previous Criticisms by Atiku
This is not the first time Atiku has challenged the Tinubu administration on fiscal matters. He earlier criticised the government after the Budget Office revealed it had borrowed ₦4.79 trillion above its approved 2024 limit, and also obtained an extra ₦3.19 trillion classified as 'budget support' with no provision in the approved budget. Atiku's camp pointed to a reported ₦7.98 trillion oil windfall, questioning why borrowing continued to rise despite higher revenues.
Additionally, Atiku recently spoke out against a ₦22.15 billion allocation for 106 palace projects in the 2026 budget, which he said violates the Nigerian Constitution. His spokesperson noted that the Federal Government has refused to name the traditional rulers or disclose the locations of the 106 palaces, and called on the Presidency and the Budget Office to publish full details and the legal basis for the spending.
